Horses have rightly been called the supreme animals of war. They have played the largest role of any animal in war, and have paid the price more than all other animals put together. In many wars, their deaths greatly outnumbered those of humans.

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 12:23 am
Great post. Something I had never fully known. I am sort of speechless which is unlike me. I want to say, I know after too long had past, a memorial was resurrected for War dogs. I see a petition here listing the full service of horses who died in US wars, and now it's this Adminstration's duty for patriotic service to let the US horses roam free.

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 11:39 am
Beautiful creatures being blasted and battered by humans is nothing new, but the story bears constant repetition till we get more sensitive to the rights and needs of other animals. Thanks for posting.

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 1:07 pm
Good article; though I'm familiar with the brief history, I find it beyond depressing. Dogs, horses sacrificed with no thought over a progression of centuries. I'm afraid that my dogs and horses would be vigorously defended.

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 1:14 pm
My grandfather served with the infantry in WW1 and I was told by my father that my grandfather often said that the dead and dying horses was often the hardest thing to bear. I think all War Memorials should have mention of all the animals who also served and died.

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 3:17 pm
It's not enought that we have to keep waging war on one another--but we drag our innocent, trusting companions into the battle with us. They serve faithfully and then are killed or abandoned. When will the madness stop!?

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 3:51 pm
Horses are the ultimate all-terrain 'vehicle' and pay the price for that distinction. Dogs are the finest security agents and have other specialties to serve us with. Wish we could reward them more appropriately...

"Some lay on the ground with entrails hanging out. One poor animal … had lost both his hind legs, and there he sat the night long on his tail, looking about as if in expectation of coming aid, sending forth from time to time long and protracted melancholy neighing."

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 6:59 pm
As a horse owner, I'm glad that horses no longer are used in battle, but they definitely served a purpose and did their jobs bravely when needed. My "ultmate" example would be Bucephalus.

Wednesday May 25, 2011, 11:22 pm
Ever since humans have stood upright we have abused, tortured, maimed and killed animals...supposedly for our "benefit". These stories are just more of the same. It makes me angry,sad and just plain embarrassed to be a human.

Thursday May 26, 2011, 1:22 pm
Read & noted, thanks Simone! WOW!! Thanks for sharing the history lesson. All, if not most, horse lovers know what horses have endured in the past, & also know too well with much sadness, what horses continue to endure in the present day. Not all horses are as "lucky" as Secretariat, Barbaro, & other "famous" horses. Many more suffer unimaginable lives & grusome fates, all at the mercy of, &, the hands of barbaric, indifferent, insensitive, uncaring, unfeeling, greedy humans! All animals, I believe, are gifts from God, especially the horse. I do not believe our Creator intended for them to suffer, or to be used in some of the ways some people do, like being slaughtered for human or other, consumption! Humans, except fellow horse & animal lovers, are DISGUSTING!